About NALAS Message from NEXPO Sarajevo 2011 2020 Agenda – Challenges and Opportunities
14
Western Balkans and Europe 2020 Regional Coordination Conference “Role of Local Governments” Kelmend Zajazi, NALAS Executive Director 31 st March 2011, Brussels
description
Western Balkans and Europe 2020 Regional Coordination Conference “Role of Local Governments” Kelmend Zajazi, NALAS Executive Director 31 st March 2011, Brussels. OBJECTIVES. About NALAS Message from NEXPO Sarajevo 2011 2020 Agenda – Challenges and Opportunities. - PowerPoint PPT Presentation
Transcript of About NALAS Message from NEXPO Sarajevo 2011 2020 Agenda – Challenges and Opportunities
Western Balkans and Europe 2020Regional Coordination Conference
“Role of Local Governments”Kelmend Zajazi, NALAS Executive Director
31st March 2011, Brussels
I. About NALAS
II. Message from NEXPO Sarajevo 2011
III. 2020 Agenda – Challenges and Opportunities
OBJECTIVES
15 National Associations
4000 Local authorities
80 Million citizens
Network of Associations of Local Authorities of
South East Europe
NALAS structure:
Priorities:• 5 Task Forces: Fiscal Decentralsation, Urban Planning,
Energy Efficiency, Solid Waste and Water Management, Sustainable Tourism
• Over 60 experts and practitioners• 40 Projects developed
Products
Guidelines on Local Borrowing(best practices/models)
1. Central government reduce public spending; cut transfers to local government
2. Decline of real economic activity, leading to lower local government revenues from shared taxes and own sources
3. Unemployment rises, increasing the pressure on local governments to provide social services and various forms of relief
CHALLENGES: Global crisis affecting local governments in SEE
Global Challenges• Global financial crisis• Energy crisis• Climate change• Political instability – prolonged transition
OPPORTUNITY: urge for changes / awareness
Nov 2008: Tirana, Policy Brief, July 2009: Durovnik Declaration, June 2010: Sofia, Monitoring
- Predicted that public expenditure will be under pressure long after crisis ends.
NALAS – response to crises:
NALAS recommendations (highlights of Dubrovnik Declaration):
-Improve efficiency of public services
-Optimize network of service facilities
-Make best use of EU funds (Clarify procedures, consolidate, redirect, etc.)
-Improve inter-governmental dialogue
Bottom-line:
Good Governance - efficiency and effectiveness of public service needs to be increased, to keep same level of services. “Do more and better with less”.
NEW growth model for Western Balkans?
ANSWER: Increase role of local government – unlock potentials
Why local government dimension?
Leverage – bypass political processes deadlockTo mobilize local resources – increase impact of invested €Quick reconciliation – towards regional stabilityBring economic development to all territories
Response to Global challenges – Europe 2020
200 Mayors, 1500 local government representatives:
1 Include local gov. dimension in strategic and operational planning for EU enlargement2. Involve LG and their associations in consultation3. Make pre accession financing available to local governments
NALAS Sarajevo DECLARATION – 10 March 2011
Ongoing Negotiations- EC, DG Enlargement- Committee of the Regions- RCC, CEMR, AFCCRE, CoE- Energy Cities
Priority issues:
1. Role of local governments in EU Integration2. Role of local governments and associations in
pre-accession funds (IPA) 2014 - 20193. Covenant of Mayors Office for Western Balkans 21.04.23
THANKSfor your attention.
Kelmend ZajaziExecutive Director
NALAS Network of Associations of Local Authorities of South East EuropePhone +389 2 3090818
www.nalas.eu
